How to Generate an SSH Key Pair

SSH key pairs provide a more secure way to authenticate with your dotCanada server than using a password alone. A key pair consists of a private key (kept on your computer) and a public key (uploaded to your hosting account).

Generating a Key Pair on Mac or Linux

1. Open your Terminal.
2. Run the following command: ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C 'your@email.com'
3. When prompted for a file location, press Enter to accept the default (~/.ssh/id_rsa).
4. Optionally, enter a passphrase for extra security - or press Enter to skip.
5. Two files will be created: id_rsa (private key) and id_rsa.pub (public key).

Generating a Key Pair on Windows

1. Open PuTTYgen (included with the PuTTY download).
2. Select RSA and set the key size to 4096 bits.
3. Click Generate and move your mouse around to add randomness.
4. Save both the public and private keys to a safe location on your computer.

Key Security Tips

• Never share your private key with anyone.
• Use a passphrase to protect your private key.
• Store your keys in a safe, backed-up location.

Once you've generated your key pair, the next step is to add the public key to your dotCanada hosting account. If you run into any trouble, contact our support team for assistance.